Newcastle United star nears exit whilst Rangers look for homegrown boost

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Newcastle United are reportedly ready to say goodbye to Ryan Fraser this summer – and Rangers can kill two birds with one stone by hijacking reported Championship interest.

The Gers have a reported £7m gap to plug after the exit of ex-Liverpool winger Ryan Kent who has, rather astonishingly, signed on at Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce.

Whilst there have been a couple of reports on who the Ibrox side might look to replace him, Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser could provide a different solution.

The ex-Aberdeen star is reportedly on his way out of St James’ Park after falling out with Eddie Howe back in his Bournemouth days and now the likes of Norwich City have been linked.

Ryan Fraser could boost Rangers’ homegrown quota

Still contracted to Newcastle United until 2025, all the talk concerns a potential loan move for the Scotland international attacker who reportedly has a host of Championship suitors.

But as Rangers look to bolster their squad this summer Ryan Fraser could not only replace Ryan Kent but the 29-year-old winger could also boost the club’s homegrown quota.

A lot has been made about Rangers needing to sign homegrown players with UEFA competition rules meaning at least eight players who’ve trained in Scotland for three years before their 21st birthday need to be included. This doesn’t include anyone under the age of 21.

Currently, only Robby McCrorie, John Souttar, Ryan Jack and Scott Wright fulfil this quota, with the club losing Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor in the summer.

It means signing Scottish players should be a top priority and Aberdeen-trained Ryan Fraser represents a solid option as Rangers look to get back on top domestically.

The 25-times capped Scotland star helped fire Bournemouth to promotion to the Premier League after a move from Aberdeen in 2013 and after seven years at the club, impressed in patches with Newcastle United in the Premier League.

It remains to be seen if the former Dons winger would come back to Scotland right now, or if he’d be open to a move to Rangers, but the move certainly makes sense from an Ibrox POV.

From the perspective of Ryan Fraser, Rangers also offer Champions League football and a crack at title glory that the winger won’t get in the English second tier.